Pole building construction help in PA

[blackhd99]

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post. I joined because I'm in need of some garage help! I'm in the process of planning a garage and I would greatly appreciate some help? I live near Bloomsburg Pa and have at least a dozen or more pole building contractors that service my area to choose from. I wasn't sure about pricing so I inquired to numerous builders about a 40Wx48Dx16H garage with 1' overhangs all of the way around, 2- 10Wx14H garage doors, 1- 8Wx9H garage door, 1 man door, and 6 windows (3 on each side). I plan on hiring my own concrete contractor, electrical contractor, and excavation contractor for site prep so that was not included in the quotes. Some of the contractors sent me really nice information packets in the mail with my quote. Others just replied via email with a generic email and a price. One Amish contractor sent me an email with an attachment of a scanned hand written price quote on a piece of paper. The prices ranged from 21K to 29K. I'm not too familiar with pole building construction so I'm looking for help. I was very surprised with the broad price range of the quotes. I'm guessing that is because I'm getting less from one contractor compared to the other, maybe a contractor doesn't really want the job so he bids high, the proximity of the contractor to my home (I can see this adding some cost but not too much), the overhead of the contractor, so he has to charge more, or the materials used are more or less superior to the other? My questions are what should I be looking at or for in the price quote? What are typical areas or materials that contractors try to skimp on to save costs? I'm not looking for the cheapest price. I'm looking for a well built garage for the best price. What are some construction features that I should require? example perma columns or 2x8 skirt boards compared to 2x6 or any specific ties or fasteners? I'm not sure what the snow load/ wind speed requirement is in my area but would adding a few more roof trusses make a big difference in the snow load/ live load rating of the roof? I'm not sure even if it would be necessary I just tend to like things "heavy duty" or over engineered. I plan on finishing the inside in the future. Any help or thoughts would greatly be appreciated! Thanks very much!

 

[Matt M PA]

My garage was built by Stoltzfus Structures. I believe they also do pole barns. You could get their number at their site, www.mysheds.com. Jonathan Zook was my contact and did a great job. I cannot recommend them highly enough...beautiful work at a very fair cost.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 to use Amish in Pennsylvania . . . likely won't get any better construction than that !!

Ask Amish for references of other pole buildings they've built, and go LOOK at their work. My bet is you'll hire them once you see quality of work. Talk with prior customers and get feedback.

Likely your only decision is regular pole build, or Perma-column.

 

[Kevkx125]

I used this co.http://www.pioneerpolebuildings.com/ had a great experience with them

 

[bullnerd]

I used this co.http://www.pioneerpolebuildings.com/ had a great experience with them

Same here. See my build in my sig.

Only other builder I would consider is Morton, but they were more $$$ than I wanted to pay.

 

[blackhd99]

I used this co.http://www.pioneerpolebuildings.com/ had a great experience with them

I live about an hour from pioneer. They gave me a quote in the almost 28K range. I think the only quote that was more was from kistler buildings. On my quote from pioneer they listed 2x6 skirt boards when others used 2x8s. (Not too big of a deal but just the idea of getting less for more bothers me) Without looking at the quotes there was something else that was on their quote that I did not like but I can't remember exactly what it was. I will say that I do know a lot of people that had their building build by pioneer and they love it! Thanks for the help

 

[blackhd99]

+1 to use Amish in Pennsylvania . . . likely won't get any better construction than that !!

Ask Amish for references of other pole buildings they've built, and go LOOK at their work. My bet is you'll hire them once you see quality of work. Talk with prior customers and get feedback.

Likely your only decision is regular pole build, or Perma-column.

I thought the same thing when I got the ok for a garage from my wife. All of our furniture is Amish made. You cannot beat the quality and value. Three Mennonite guys framed our house (including window install) in 3 1/2 days and one of those days it rained like crazy. My wife and I watched them for awhile and it seemed as if there wasn't a wasted movement. Every move was so efficient and had purpose. Our house is only 2000 sq ft but I was certainly impressed with that.

 

[blackhd99]

What about metal buildings? Can anyone give me advice on a metal framed garage? Maybe a manufacturer recommendation? I'm not set on a pole building. I've seen prices in the 40sqft for stick built including foundation but no prices on metal framed structures.

 

[jives]

We spent about 2 years figuring out the best way to build our combo garage, workshop,
and basketball court. Got bids on metal, fancy wood structures (e.g, EagleRigidSpan),
and pole barns from the big guys (e.g,. Morton), and local guys (Amish crew). Checked
out a friend's new garage from the local Amish crew, got a bid from them, and it was
the best, even considering we are deviating from the normal. 32 x 42 x 14 with 9/12
scissor trusses with 6/12 bottom chord pitch, regular and commercial style girts, OSB
sheeting with Tyvek under the steel siding, two 10 x 10 garage doors with tracks that
follow the pitched ceiling, 2 man doors (one is French door style, full length porch on
one gable end, 5" concrete, reflective insulation under the roof steel for condensation
control, perma-columns, and cupola for about $48K. No electricity, no other insulation
or interior finishing. That's my job. Excavation takes place this week, about $6800 to
scrape topsoil and compact about 200 yards of fill (about 36" deep at the low spot
on our slope).

Metal buildings would have cost too much for the foundation, even considering I'm
using Perma-Columns for the pole barn. Plus, I could not find anyone around here with
experience in erecting the thing. Not that it would be that hard, but I did not want to
have the barn the local crew learned on. That was the final reason I did not go metal.
No one to build it.

Like pole barns, the metal structure prices rise quickly when you get past the basic
price. Windows, doors, garage doors, upgrades, concrete, installation, insulation,
interior finish, foundation, electrical. . .. etc. GET THE WHOLE PRICE NAILED DOWN
FIRST before you start comparing prices.

 

[rburke65]

If you are going to finish the inside you may as well stick build it.

 

[blackhd99]

If you are going to finish the inside you may as well stick build it.

I would love to stick build but at 4 times the cost its just not going to happen. For a stick built garage prices I`ve seen are in the $40 per sqft range. I could easily do all of the finish work myself plus the cost of the garage for half of that.

 

[blackhd99]

We spent about 2 years figuring out the best way to build our combo garage, workshop,
and basketball court. Got bids on metal, fancy wood structures (e.g, EagleRigidSpan),
and pole barns from the big guys (e.g,. Morton), and local guys (Amish crew). Checked
out a friend's new garage from the local Amish crew, got a bid from them, and it was
the best, even considering we are deviating from the normal. 32 x 42 x 14 with 9/12
scissor trusses with 6/12 bottom chord pitch, regular and commercial style girts, OSB
sheeting with Tyvek under the steel siding, two 10 x 10 garage doors with tracks that
follow the pitched ceiling, 2 man doors (one is French door style, full length porch on
one gable end, 5" concrete, reflective insulation under the roof steel for condensation
control, perma-columns, and cupola for about $48K. No electricity, no other insulation
or interior finishing. That's my job. Excavation takes place this week, about $6800 to
scrape topsoil and compact about 200 yards of fill (about 36" deep at the low spot
on our slope).
6
Metal buildings would have cost too much for the foundation, even considering I'm
using Perma-Columns for the pole barn. Plus, I could not find anyone around here with
experience in erecting the thing. Not that it would be that hard, but I did not want to
have the barn the local crew learned on. That was the final reason I did not go metal.
No one to build it.

Like pole barns, the metal structure prices rise quickly when you get past the basic
price. Windows, doors, garage doors, upgrades, concrete, installation, insulation,
interior finish, foundation, electrical. . .. etc. GET THE WHOLE PRICE NAILED DOWN
FIRST before you start comparing prices.

Based on the quotes that I have it sounds like prices really do increase when you stray from the base spec garage. Thanks for the help! Can I ask who is building your garage?

 

[sberry]

There are savings from planning as well as building. What is the intended purpose of the structure?

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 for doing lots of planning, and being flexible on possibly changing the overall dimensions. For instance changing to 36'x48' would likely save quite a bit due to less waste. Base your design on pole spacing and lumber dimensions.

 

[jimgood]

Make sure the quotes they're giving you include pressure treated skirt boards.

 

[jimgood]

and I'll give another thumbs up the Stoltzfus Builders. They've built a barn and indoor riding arena for us.

 

[andys]

I used the Amish for our kids' play structure. All cedar, assembled at their plant and the large sections leveled and attached in two hours in our yard. The cuts and finish are all very nice and my wife said they were very friendly throughout the process.

I wouldn't hesitate to find an Amish company if I needed something else built.

 

[jives]

Our structure is being built by D&L in central NY. They are an Amish crew that has one
part of their operation about half an hour away. They put up lots of buildings in the area.

Disagree with the statement regarding may as well stick build it if going to finish the
inside. Framing lumber and finish materials are about the same for pole barn vs. stick.
The difference is foundation. The pole barn is saving us about $10,000 in foundation
costs due to not needing a footer and stem wall and associated excavation.

Our excavation guy is working as I speak (type). Yahoo! Unfortunately, it won't be
spring until the builder gets in. He is booked solid.

 

[Matt M PA]

Call Jonathan at Stoltzfus...he'll be glad to give you the options of different build types, etc.

 

[blackhd99]

There are savings from planning as well as building. What is the intended purpose of the structure?

We r building a garage to store a 40' 5th wheel rv, a 25' gooseneck trailer, a ram 3500 crew cab dually, a compact tractor, a work bench/tool storage area, and to clean out all of the other junk in our attached garage. I hope to build a loft for storage. Im open to different lengths as long as the 5th wheel will fit. Width wise i think im stuck with 40'. I want 3 doors 2-10' wide and 1-12'wide so i think 40' is the minimum with to achieve that. As far as height i want 2 of the doors to be 14' high so i believe the side walls have to be 16' high. Any thoughts or ideas thanks!

 

[blackhd99]

+1 for doing lots of planning, and being flexible on possibly changing the overall dimensions. For instance changing to 36'x48' would likely save quite a bit due to less waste. Base your design on pole spacing and lumber dimensions.

So your saying best to pick a standard building size and work from that?

 

[fxt]

hi neighbor, i'm about 15 minutes away from you.

i used timberline to build mine, sent them an email and a guy came out and explained everything for me.

i got a 30x32 with 10' walls
scissors trusses
16' insulated door and one man door
4" of concrete with a skirt

it was around 17k

i picked them because they do not sub any of the jobs out, they have crews for everything and they were the most helpful explaining everything

if you would take a look at it you could but mostly everything is closed up and insulated already

 

[fxt]

there is also a place in bloomsburg called Rocky Mountain Structures LLC

 

[blackhd99]

hi neighbor, i'm about 15 minutes away from you.

i used timberline to build mine, sent them an email and a guy came out and explained everything for me.

i got a 30x32 with 10' walls
scissors trusses
16' insulated door and one man door
4" of concrete with a skirt

it was around 17k

i picked them because they do not sub any of the jobs out, they have crews for everything and they were the most helpful explaining everything

if you would take a look at it you could but mostly everything is closed up and insulated already

Maybe I'll take you up on your offer. I would be interested to see how your garage is insulated? I don't think I got a price quote from timberline. I will have to check them out.

 

[blackhd99]

+1 for doing lots of planning, and being flexible on possibly changing the overall dimensions. For instance changing to 36'x48' would likely save quite a bit due to less waste. Base your design on pole spacing and lumber dimensions.

What are the standard size width, length and pole spacing? or different for each builder?

 

[blackhd99]

My garage was built by Stoltzfus Structures. I believe they also do pole barns. You could get their number at their site, www.mysheds.com. Jonathan Zook was my contact and did a great job. I cannot recommend them highly enough...beautiful work at a very fair cost.

If I remember I did get a quote from them and they were somewhere in the middle as far as price goes. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[CNGsaves]

What are the standard size width, length and pole spacing? or different for each builder?

I'm no guru just observant of prior GJ threads and typical pole barn spacing is 8 ft for poles. Also, lumber generally 8 ft lengths so my bet is multiples of 8 would be cheaper and likely "standard" sizes that most builders offer.

Also a cost threshold you'll pass relates to width of building due to truss cost.
Wider building trusses = more money.

 

[bullnerd]

Yup, my poles/posts are 8', trusses are 4'.

 

[mwshelgren]

I also used Timberline for my pole barn last year 40'x60'x16'. All Amish crew and they did a fantastic job. I highly recommend them and would use them again in a second.

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

Hey, Jives, can you give me any contact info for "D&L in central NY"?



JBP


.

 

[Amos]

Had Stable Hollow Construction (Amish) out of Manheim, PA build a 30 x 40 for me. Another +1 for the Amish.

 

[blackhd99]

I also used Timberline for my pole barn last year 40'x60'x16'. All Amish crew and they did a fantastic job. I highly recommend them and would use them again in a second.

I looked at your thread about your building. A 40x60x16 building sounds a lot better than a 40x48x16. Do you happen to have any finished pictures? I would love to see them! Thanks in advance

 

[jives]

Hey, Jives, can you give me any contact info for "D&L in central NY"?



JBP


.

Sorry, but it is actually D&J construction, out of Ovid. They use an answering
service at 800-281-5685. BTW, we talked to Fingerlakes Construction, and
think they would have done a good job at a good price. It just seemed
that the guys at D&J were more willing to do what I wanted without large
increases in price. BTW, I just added another $900 to the bill today by
adding in gutters.

 

[kbs2244]

Send the ones you are somewhat intrested in a nece letter thatking them for the quote and asking if they have any customers willing to let you come see their work.
A referance customer is a huge plus in any sale as it shows someone happy enough with the work done to let a stranger in their place to check it out.
It is also a way to meet some nice people.
I have two guys I keep in touch with that I met this wayII went to check some concrete
I went to check some concrete at one work and another I showed some unusual carpentry to.

 

[sideways]

Here's another vote for Pioneer Pole Buildings. I had a budget I was trying to follow and they told me they had some "sale" materials they could put together and still give me my choice of colors. I had selected the size building that matched my budget and they just offered me a larger building at the same price of my budget because they had excess materials. They didn't have to do that.. .but I guess it helped them move what would eventually be odd pieces. Ask them if they have any specials and you might be able to save a little money off their advertised prices. They were easy to deal with, have a good reputation, and their construction crew was "no nonsense" and knew what the were doing. I bought a few windows outside their package from Lowes and just dropped them off at the site and the guys installed them for me...no charge. Also, I have no other affiliation with the organization other than being a satisfied customer...

www.pioneerpolebuildings.com/ had